John Travolta extortion suspect begs for money

The man charged with conspiring to extort $25 million from John Travolta after the death of the star’s son has appealed for help to pay his legal fees, because he has been unable to work since the case began.

Paramedic Tarino Lightbourne, along with former Bahamas senator Pleasant Bridgewater, is said to have demanded the cash from the Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston, after their 16-year-old son Jett suffered a fatal seizure at the family’s holiday home in January 2009.

The allegations center around a Refusal of Treatment/Transportation form, signed by Travolta, which the suspects allegedly threatened to release to the media.

In October, a mistrial was declared after a jury member reportedly leaked the verdict to politicians, and a retrial has since been set for September.

Outside of court on Wednesday, Lighthouse revealed he hasn’t worked since the allegations were made against him.

He made an open appeal for help paying his legal fees, insisting he’s struggling to support his family and his home has gone into foreclosure.

He tells TMZ.com, “Financially I haven’t worked for a year now, since this case started. Everything has backed up now — my house is in foreclosure.

“My kids, it’s hurting everybody and I’m appealing to the general public for some financial assistance to assist me with my attorney fees.”